Everything You Need to Know About Your Vagina

Can sex stretch it out? Is it supposed to have an odor? And why does it feel so freakin' good when it's touched and stroked? Our hoo-ha handbook has all the answers plus secrets to staying in top shape down there.

It has more nicknames than possibly any other female bodypart (sideways smile, anyone?), its own doctor, and theability to bring you tons of pleasure — not to mention pain,particularly if you plan to have a baby. Yet the vaginaremains a mystery to many. In fact, a Cosmo poll found thatmore than 60 percent of women say they don't know a lotabout their vadge — which is unfortunate, because a newstudy reports that chicks who feel confident about theirdown-there area have more orgasms. So we've put togethera list of 15 bits of info to boost your V-zone comfort level.These are the crucial facts about how it functions, keepingit healthy, and increasing the amount of bliss it brings you.

1. It's just one part of your down-there region

Most of us use the word vagina to refer to our private parts. But technically, the termdescribes only thenarrow canal that runsinside your body fromthe vulva (the visiblearea that includes theinner and outer labia,clitoris, and perineum)to the cervix (the lowerportion of the uterus).

2. Vaginas generally look alike

...On the inside, that is.What does vary is thevulva. The clitoris rangesfrom 1 to 1¼ inches(including the hood), theouter labia can be barelythere or a few incheslong, and the inner labia,which are reminiscent ofbutterfly wings, might behidden or hang past theouter lips. Most women'slabia aren't perfectly symmetrical — one side is usuallybigger than the other.

3. The surrounding area often can be different colors

The shade of your southernregion isn't necessarilyrelated to the tone ofthe rest of your skin.Many light-skinnedwomen have brown orpurplish labia, while adarker-hued chick canhave a lighter vulva. Youalso can have differentcolors in different areas — for example, your labiacould be on the darkerside yet your perineumcould be pale pink.

4. Its walls are pleated

Usually, the walls of thevagina lie compressedagainst each other. Butwhen they need to open—to accommodate a tamponor penis—the sides separateand widen, kind oflike the way an umbrellaopens or a pleated skirtunfolds. The vagina typicallyswells from half aninch wide to 2 incheswide. And it can get evenbigger — after all, a babymight have to passthrough it!

5. Relax — a well-hung guy won'tstretch it out...

As explained above, thevagina is incredibly elasticand can fit a supersizepenis — yet it alwaysreturns to its usual tightnessafter sex. But it mightbe a different story onceyou pop out a baby, assome moms say they dofeel looser. You can tightenup by doing certain exercises(see number 7).

6. ...Nor will it"revirginize" if you go througha long dry spell

There's a rumor out therethat if you find yourself ina no-booty bout, yourvagina will become sotight that getting back inthe saddle will hurt. It'stotally untrue. While yourvaginal muscles may betense at first, penetrationshouldn't be painful at all.

7. It benefits from regular exercise

Just as working yourbiceps firms up yourarms, working your pubococcygeusmuscle — amain muscle of yourpubic region — can toneup your vadge. Besidesgiving you a tighter gripduring sex, it also maymake it easier to climax.Here's how to exerciseyour V: Clamp down as ifyou're stopping yoururine flow, hold for 10seconds, then release. Do2 sets of 10 to 20 a day;you'll notice a differencein about a month.

8. It's teeming with bacteria

Don't get grossed out — they're the kind that keepbad microorganisms incheck so you don't get aninfection. One of thegood bacteria is lactobacilli,also found in yogurt.In fact, some gynos sayyou can help cure a yeastinfection by inserting atablespoon of plain yogurtwith live cultures intoyour vadge (put some ona tampon, and push it in).

9. It's self-cleaning

No need to douche orwash the inside — yourvagina cleans itself withdischarge (yep, that stuffhas a function). Thesecretions flush out cellsfrom the vaginal wall,excess water, and bacteria.The only washing it needsis on the outside betweenthe labial folds andalong the perineum(use a mild, scentfreesoap).

10. The hair aroundit isn'tnecessary

Back in cavemantimes, pubes shielded the vagina frombacteria and trappedodor to attract men.Today, we have clothes toprotect us. And as forattracting a guy with yourhairy crotch, the oppositemay be true: Someguys are turned on byseeing a woman's bare V.

11. Its smell gets stronger during your cycle

Speaking of scent, everyvagina has one. It tends tobe acidic before yourperiod and pungent afterward.Your scent also maybe more noticeable post-workout,because ofsweat glands, and duringsex, thanks to the naturallubrication you produce.

12. Getting it on does it good...

Part of the reason sexfeels so amazing: Hoo-hastimulation, whether ornot you reach an O,releases feel-good hormones.Some gynos alsosay that having an orgasmeases cramps — an awesomereason to hit thesheets with your guy orhave solo sex when youhave your period.

13. ...But too much sex can throw itout of whack

While regular action canrelax you, too much ina short period of time mayleave you chafed orinflamed down south orwith a urinary-tract infection.You're more likelyto get a UTI if you do it ontop or in missionary, sinceyour guy's penis is supercloseto your urethra andcan push harmful bacteriain it. No need to give upthese poses though;peeing post-sex can keep aUTI at bay.

14. Discharge changes throughout your cycle

Your vadge producesmore discharge — up to 2teaspoons a day — duringovulation; it tends to bethinner and clearer at thistime. Before your flow, it'screamier and thicker. If itever itches, burns, stinks,or looks like cottagecheese, see your gyno.

15. Things can't get lost up there

Your vagina is not a blackhole. It's impossible foranything (like a tampon)to escape into youruterus — the cervix blocksoff access. But a tamponcan slip out of reach. Ifone does, fish it out whilesquatting and bearingdown. If that doesn't work,make an appointmentwith your gyno, who willpluck out the tamponquickly and painlessly.Note: Steer clear of puttingfood, even chocolatesyrup or whipped cream,up there. The sugar canlead to an infection.

Designer Vaginas?

Some doctors say vaginal surgery can increase pleasure andimprove appearance, but these procedures are rarely medicallynecessary, are hardly ever covered by insurance, and can causenerve damage. (Besides, in our opinion, this is one thing that doesnot need improvement.) A few of the so-called corrections offered:

Vaginal Rejuvenation $7,000*

Aimed at women who complain of feeling too loose to enjoy sex,it involves tightening the vagina. The truth: No published studiesshow whether "rejuvenated" women feel more or less satisfaction.

Labiaplasty $6,000

This can reduce the size of the inner or outer labia and evenout asymmetrical lips. However, visibly asymmetrical anduneven lips are actually the norm.

The G-Shot $1,550

It increases the size of the G-spot area via a collagen or cosmeticfillerinjection; this supposedly intensifies sensation. Shots lastthree to six months. Beware: Its effectiveness is in doubt.

Hymen Repair $5,000

This reconstructs the hymen, allowing a woman to experiencethe feeling of losing her virginity again. Hmm...pain, blood, andawkwardness a second time around? Don't sign us up.

*Costs are estimates; prices will vary.

Lady Parts in Pain?

Two very real yet poorly understoodconditions can cause serious discomfort.

Vaginismus causes the vaginal muscles to contractinvoluntarily, making it difficult or impossible tohave sex, use a tampon, even undergo a gyno exam.It can be treated via physical therapy and/or counseling, but often gets worse before it gets better becausewomen who have it stress out so much wonderingwhat's going on before checking in with their gyno.

Vulvodynia is characterized by vulva pain,stinging, or sensitivity so intense that direct touch ishard to bear. There are no visible signs, and it'soften diagnosed after gynos rule out other conditions,such as a bad yeast infection. Antidepressants canoften help lessen the pain.